The Seattle Seahawks opened the NFL season with a 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots, overcoming a 10-point deficit in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, according to game reports from September 10, 2026. Despite losing star quarterback Sam Darnold to a hip injury in the first quarter, the defending champions relied on a dominant second-half defensive performance at Lumen Field to secure the win.
Comeback Victory in Super Bowl Rematch
Seattle faced an early 10-0 deficit after a sluggish first half in front of nearly 69,000 spectators. The hosts capitalized on a defensive turnaround after halftime, maintaining the intensity that defined their 29-13 victory in the Super Bowl in February. Star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a touchdown pass, while kicker Jason Myers converted two field goals to lift the Seahawks ahead.
Sam Darnold Injury Update and Coaching Response
The Seahawks suffered a major blow on their opening offensive drive when quarterback Sam Darnold sustained a hip injury following a sack. Head coach Mike Macdonald provided an initial update after the game regarding the Super Bowl hero’s status. “We can rule out a fracture at this point, that’s great news,” Macdonald said, adding that further medical evaluations remain necessary.
Backup quarterback Drew Lock stepped in to manage the offense for the remainder of the contest, executing steady play under pressure to help guide the team through the comeback.
Fourth-Quarter Turnovers Seal New England’s Fate
New England held the advantage late into the game, but mistakes by rookie quarterback Drake Maye in the final period shifted momentum. Maye had the ball taken three times in the final quarter, with the decisive turnover secured by defensive back Josh Jobe. “My eyes were on the ball and when I saw it, I just thought: Ball, ball, ball,” Jobe said of his athletic interception, where he managed to keep both feet in bounds.
Scoring for the Patriots came via a touchdown from rookie tight end Eli Raridon and a field goal by kicker Andy Borregales. Brown suffered an ankle injury during his team debut after a defender landed on his foot. A definitive diagnosis for Brown was still pending following the final whistle.
Next Steps and Schedule
Both teams face further medical evaluations for their injured key players ahead of next week’s preparations.
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